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20 May 2014

Indomitable Lions striker Samuel Eto'o
was in the Ivory Coast from 14th through 18th May at the invitation of
the Ivorian Board for Sports to grace the Copa Cola-Cola youth
tournament. In between his busy schedule shuttling between the capital
Abidjan and Bouaké, Eto'o took time to share his thoughts about the FIFA
World Cup Brazil2014, predicting that Africa teams will do well and
have a big say as to which way the trophy goes. The Lions go to Brazil
together with four other African teams - Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and
Nigeria.

What prospects do Africans have at the World Cup?

African teams are likely going to do well in Brazil. And I state that
there are reasons to believe in our qualities. In all major European
championships, there are always African players that play major roles.
The only problem in Africa is our leaders who do not respect us. Until
we are respected, the others will never have any consideration for us. I
say it, and restate it that Africa will have its say in Brazil.

What do you think about the Ivory Coast, presented as the best team on the continent?

We are all of the opinion that Côte d'Ivoire is the best team on
paper. Looking at the team it has no equal from an African point of
view. But at the same time, I say that it is time the Elephants proved
in the presence of everyone that they are the best. It is time they
demonstrated their real character. They should explode in the sight of
the entire world. And I think that it is time for this generation to
make an impression on people.

What do you think of Yaya Touré?

He is exceptional! Look at what he did with Manchester City. It is
phenomenal. To me, there is no doubt that Yaya Touré is the best player
in the world. He has accomplished an extraordinary season. The goals he
scores with his team are just incredible. If these were done by Lionel
Messi, it would have been said immediately that he is the best player on
the planet. Yaya Touré scores goals that Lionel Messi, Pélé or other
great players have scored.

Being captain of the Indomitable Lions and being paired in the same Group as Brazil, aren't you scared of what lies ahead?

We respect all our adversaries and the same goes for our World Cup
Group A. It is true that Brazil will be the most popular before its
people and home fans, but I'm not scared of this team, we will not be
scared of them. In my career we have played against this team before. We
beat the Brazilians at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. There was a
certain Ronaldinho in the team and many others. Eto'o is not scared.
Cameroon is not scared.

What is the true nature of your relations with the coach, José Mourinho, who once remarked that you were old?

Contrary to what a puppet says about my age, I am still physically
fit. At 33, I feel real good. I have proven that I could do better than
youths. And I wish to also say that I am not going to the United States
or to the Middle East. I will continue at the top level. I will continue
to play the Champions League. My romance with this competition is far
from over. I will not tell you where, but I will be at the top level. I
am 33 and I have two World Cups to play. Before me there are other
players who went on until the age of 41. So I can continue.

Following the World Cup, you will return to Ivory Coast and
Cameroon contesting qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Do
these encounters excite you?

Those games are still far off. When the time comes, I will consider
that. I wouldn't like to make a statement about a match before which
many things can still happen.

A football icon, what are Samuel Eto'o relations with African youths?

I have always said that youths are the present and the future. We
have to show them the way so that they could live their dreams. My case
is a real life lesson. I left for Europe too early and that was a bad
choice. When I realised that it was a dead end, I decided to return
home. I knew that education was the best weapon, if I had to succeed.
That helped me very much when I got to Real Madrid. If I had not known
how to read, I would have faced serious difficulties at that time.